The ECAJ welcomes Kevin Rudd…and thanks Julia Gillard
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry offers its sincere congratulations to Kevin Rudd on being sworn in as Prime Minister.
Israeli President Shimon Peres greets Kevin Rudd
The ECAJ enjoyed an excellent relationship with Prime Minister Rudd following his election in 2007 and during his time as Foreign Minister. In particular, we note the Prime Minister’s strong leadership in condemning the anti-Israel boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement and in showing solidarity with the victims of the movement.
We sincerely hope that the Prime Minister will continue to condemn antisemitism in all its forms, maintain a commitment to strong race discrimination laws and continue the work of his predecessor in moving Australia towards membership of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF).
The ECAJ would also like to thank the Honourable Julia Gillard MP for her steadfast commitment to the Australian Jewish community, which resulted in overwhelming bipartisan endorsement of the London Declaration on Combating Antisemitism, strong support for Israel’s legitimate security concerns and the bestowal of honorary Australian citizenship on Raoul Wallenberg.
We fully expect that the new leadership will build on these significant achievements and will continue to foster a relationship of openness and friendship between Government and the Australian Jewish community.
